In Pictures: Libya's 'Easy Riders'

Motorcycle gangs were banned under Gaddafi's rule, but are now making a comeback.

Al-Merej, Libya - Motorcycle gangs were banned during the Muammar Gaddafi era. But since his regime fell in 2011, motorcycles are making a comeback.

Fakhri Al-Hassi used to ride his bike in the streets of Benghazi during Gadaffi’s rule, but was often arrested and harassed by the police for wearing leather clothes and badges which they said promoted imperialist ideas.

Also called "GO Fakhri", he founded the Berynatchi Club in February 2013, through which he now organises weekly rides with other riders and maintenance workshops. Fakhri’s goal is to improve the image of the biking culture with the Libyan people and the police. Since the revolution, the number of motorcycles in the country has expanded greatly and with it the number of road traffic accidents. The biker says it is important that the club is registered with the Libyan authorities, and that all the bikers who join it have a drivers license so that trust and respect accrues with the Libyan authorities.

The club, which is one of the only two biker clubs in eastern Libya now has 55 members. For Fakhri, these clubs are a good chance to show that the revolution was not only political, but that it affected all parts Libyan society.

A group of motorcycle riders on the coastal road of Al-Merej city, 100km east of Benghazi. Though their hobby was banned under Gaddafi, they are now able to ride in small groups.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

Fakhri Al Hasi rides on Libya(***)s coastal road, which would not have been permissible before the revolution.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

Ousama Al Baraki rides his bike on the mountain road of Bayda city with his group of riders.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

Ahmad takes part in a bikers(***) event in the Shahat forest with several other riders.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

Ousama Al Baraki revs up the engine of his motorcycle. The Berynatchi Club has some 55 participating members.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

Fakhri Al-Hassi, one of the leading bikers who established the Berynatchi Club in 2012, in Bayda city. He has been a rider since the 80s but was never able to roam freely in the streets until now.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

Fakhri Al-Hassi shows his skills in front of tourists in one of the forests in the historical city of Shahat during a motorcycle gathering.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

After the revolution, men found themselves free to own motorcycles and organise related events.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

Ahmad Baghtous poses for a souvenir photograph in his "Texan" outfit during an event for bikers in the historical city of Shahat.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

Bikers participating in a motorcycle riders event in the forest of Shahat take a group portrait in front of the slogan "Shahat Forum."

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

A group of motorcycle riders on the coastal road of Al-Merej city, 100km east of Benghazi. Though their hobby was banned under Gaddafi, they are now able to ride in small groups.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

Fakhri Al Hasi rides on Libya(***)s coastal road, which would not have been permissible before the revolution.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

Ousama Al Baraki rides his bike on the mountain road of Bayda city with his group of riders.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

Ahmad takes part in a bikers(***) event in the Shahat forest with several other riders.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

Ousama Al Baraki revs up the engine of his motorcycle. The Berynatchi Club has some 55 participating members.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

Fakhri Al-Hassi, one of the leading bikers who established the Berynatchi Club in 2012, in Bayda city. He has been a rider since the 80s but was never able to roam freely in the streets until now.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

Fakhri Al-Hassi shows his skills in front of tourists in one of the forests in the historical city of Shahat during a motorcycle gathering.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

After the revolution, men found themselves free to own motorcycles and organise related events.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

Ahmad Baghtous poses for a souvenir photograph in his "Texan" outfit during an event for bikers in the historical city of Shahat.

Mohamed Al-theeb/Transterra Media

Bikers participating in a motorcycle riders event in the forest of Shahat take a group portrait in front of the slogan "Shahat Forum."